The bundles of straw are then transported and sold to the weavers. Weaving is largely a cottage industry which takes place in the villages close to the coastal plantations or in the Andes around the city of Cuenca. The weavers can produce a course grade hat in two to three days however to produce a hat of superfino quality may take up to three months.

Image: Weavers in a village near Cuenca.

The straw is first sorted and moistened to ensure it remains supple before weaving begins.

Image: Straw hung to dry before sorting.

The hat is woven outwards from the centre of the crown and may incorporate patterns or straw of different colour for added variety.

Image: Weaving the hat.

After weaving the unfinished hats have the excess straw protruding from the brims. These strands are then woven or darned into place one by one by a different group of workers.

Image: Weaving the brim edges.